woodland area
Arney Bend
Wildlife Area
The 203-acre Arney Bend Wildlife Area was purchased by the Marshall County Conservation Board in 1980 to conserve and manage an important segment of wildlife habitat adjacent to the Iowa River. The area is primarily river bottom forest with several oxbows. Native prairie restoration in some areas has improved the habitat diversity to provide for more species of wildlife.
- Hiking
- River Access
- Hunting (State Hunting Rules and Regulations Apply)
- Bird Watching and Wildlife Observation
- Mushrooming
Wildlife Area Hours are 5:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Open year round – Access sometimes limited during winter months.
county park
Grammer Grove
Wildlife Area
The Marshall County Conservation Board purchased Grammer Grove in 1967. At that time the area consisted of timber, pasture and row crops. Today Grammer Grove provides a place for recreation and outdoor education. This 121 acre wildlife refuge is a popular area for tent campers, bird and wildlife watchers, hikers, and picnickers. The many diverse habitat types offer numerous opportunities to view wildlife.
- Three picnic shelters (one reservable by contacting 641-752-5490)
- Restrooms
- Electricity (Available spring through fall)
- Drinking water (Available spring through fall)
- Playground
- Hiking Trails
- Wildlife exhibit
- Observatory
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Fishing and ice fishing
- Bird watching and wildlife viewing
- Cross country skiing
- Sledding
- Ice skating
- Carry in canoes and kayaks
- Sand volleyball
Recreational Area Hours are 5:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Area is open year round.
county park
Green Castle
Recreation Area
In 1977 Marshall County Conservation Board purchased a 116 1/2 acres area with a 16 acre lake now know as Green Castle Recreational Area. The rolling landscape of this area is painted with native prairie, evergreen trees, and hardwood trees.
The lake is stocked with bluegill, large-mouth bass, channel catfish and black crappie. Several new fishing jetties were also constructed in 2014 as well as a boat ramp installed near the south end of the lake for easy access for canoes and kayaks.
When you visit make sure that you also stop by the wildlife exhibit to see the bison and swans .
- Three picnic shelters (one reservable by contacting 641-752-5490)
- Restrooms
- Electricity (Available spring through fall)
- Drinking water (Available spring through fall)
- Playground
- Hiking Trails
- Wildlife exhibit
- Observatory
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Fishing and ice fishing
- Bird watching and wildlife viewing
- Cross country skiing
- Sledding
- Ice skating
- Carry in canoes and kayaks
- Sand volleyball
Recreational Area Hours are 5:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Area is open year round.
county park
Grimes Farm
& Conservation Center
The Grimes Farm and Conservation Center is located just west of the city limits of Marshalltown. It lies on the west side of Highland Acres Road and on the north side of 233rd Street.
When Leonard and Mildred Grimes purchased their farm west of Marshalltown in 1964, they began the work to heal the then existing abuses to the land. Over the years soil erosion has been reduced by planting grasses, using no-till agriculture practices, establishing waterways, constructing terraces, building a farm pond, and planting thousands of trees. Eventually a “poor farm” was transformed into an excellent example of land that is productive, profitable, and beautiful.
Beginning in 1964, the area was used as an outdoor classroom for local 5th or 6th grade students. A day spent in this “classroom” was coordinated by the public school teachers assisted by guest instructors from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Marshall County Conservation Board. Together they have helped the students understand their relationship to soil, air, water, sunlight, and all living things.
In 1992, Leonard and Mildred Grimes began donating parcels of 160 acres of land to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. A reserve life-estate retains use of most of the land and farm income for as long as either of them lives.
- Amphitheater
- Drinking Water
- Electricity
- Grilling Area
- Internet
- Parking
- Picnic Areas
- Picnic Shelters
- Picnic Tables
- Playground
- Restrooms
- Shelter Houses
- Hiking trails
- Bicycle trails
- Observation tower
- Restrooms
- Nature center with educational displays
- Picnicking and picnic shelter
- Hiking
- Wildlife and bird watching
- Cross country skiing and snowshoeing
- Drinking water and electricity
- Amphitheater
- Nature Playscape
- StoryWalk
bike trail
Heart of
Iowa Trail
The Heart of Iowa Nature Trail is a cooperative effort of the Story and Marshall County Conservation Boards. The 33 mile segment of the former Milwaukee Railroad from Melbourne to Slater forms this recreational trail corridor.
This trail is part of the American Discovery Trail (ADT) which passes through several metropolitan areas and incorporates many trails as it passes from the East Coast to the West Coast of the United States. The ADT in Iowa begins at Council Bluffs and follows the Raccoon River Valley, Des Moines River Greenway, Heart of Iowa Nature, Cedar Valley, and Hoover Nature Trail. It crosses the Mississippi River at Davenport.
- Historical Hoy Bridge
- Restrooms
- Picnic shelter
Fishing
Picnicking
Hiking
Wildlife and bird watching
Snowmobile
Bicycling
Horseback riding
Cross country skiing
Snowshoeing
Trail hours are 5:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. year round.
restored prairie
Klauenberg Prairie Preserve
The 220 acre Klauenberg Prairie Preserve is managed as an undeveloped Natural Area at the wishes of the donor of the land, Bernard Klauenberg. The Main goal of the Klauenberg Prairie is to preserve the highly erodible grasslands by establishing a wide range of prairie habitat types.
Beginning in 2016 first restoration efforts were completed at restoring the area to native Iowa prairie. Initial seeding’s were a mix of pollinator friendly species aided at benefitting species like Monarch Butterflies and Honey Bees. Subsequent restoration efforts will be targeted at providing both nesting and winter cover for grassland species of birds mammals and reptiles.
- Hunting per Iowa DNR rules and regulations is allowed
- Bird Watching
- Nature Study
- Photography
Recreational Area Hours are 5:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Area is open year round.
bike and hiking trail
Linn Creek Recreational Trail
The Linn Creek Recreational Trail connecting the Grimes Farm to Marshalltown’s bike trail system was completed in 2005, This trail uses the Linn Creek Greenway, a natural vegetation corridor, to connect activity sites.
The trail and several short loops link areas that provide a variety of outdoor diversions: camping at Riverview Park, the Nicholson Ford Wetlands and OHV Park, the Marshalltown Family Aquatic Center, adult softball and Little League diamonds, playgrounds and picnic areas, and the Grimes Farm and Conservation Center. Trail users can observe views of river bottom timberland and marshes, as well as prairie grasses and wildflowers.
Recently, the trail was connected to the Highway 30 trail and the Heart of Iowa Trail at Rhodes.
Biking
Hiking
Dawn to dusk
| Hard surfaced trail from Riverview park in Marshalltown to Grimes Farm and Conservation and then connects to the Highway 30 trail. |
| Linn Creek Recreational Trail map |
restored prairie
Marietta Sand Prairie Preserve
The original 17-acre Marietta Sand Prairie site was purchased in June 1983 and dedicated as a State Preserve September 6, 1984. Funds for this purchase were made available through a generous donation from Janet Paterson. An addition in 2006 of 212-acres to Marietta Sand Prairie was made possible by partnering with Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation, Pheasants Forever, REAP, Iowa Prairie Network, and donations from many others.
This unique property contains nearly 56 acres of sand prairie remnant. Sand prairie is among the rarest of prairie types and comprises only a few hundred acres of Iowa’s 35 million acres. Moreover, it contains small fens, which are a rare, spring-fed type of wetland with saturated soil. Of the more than 200 plant species found in fens, about five percent are listed as threatened or endangered
Wildlife and flora viewing
Hunting
Wildlife Area Hours are 5:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Open year round
woodland area
Mag Holland Access Area
This 80 acres of undeveloped land called Mag Holland Access Area was acquired by Marshall County Conservation in November 1962.
The wood area is an access point to the Iowa River for fishing and hunting. This park is the historic site of the LeGrand Roller Mill and Dam. The mill was once an extensive grain milling operation that produced Banner Flour which was distributed through out the state of Iowa until 1916 when the mill was destroyed by a fire.
Small portions of the dam can be seen during low river levels. The mill and dam were a favorite picnicking and fishing area for early residents of the area.
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Bird Watch and Wildlife Viewing
Recreational Area Hours are 5:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Area is open year round.
historic site
Mormon Ridge
Log Cabin
The historical log cabin of northwest Marshall County may help you learn, remember, and reflect upon a time when pioneer families struggled to settle the “new” land.
William C. Ruddick was the original owner and builder of the cabin. It is believed to have been built in 1856. According to Bangor Township records that began in 1859, Ruddick owned 200 acres of land, 5 parcels of 40-acres each, that extended west from the Iowa River and to the top of the ridge.
Visiting Historical Log Cabin
Picknicking
Hiking
Area open year round. The log cabin is not furnished. It is usually locked but appointments can be made by organized groups for an “open house”. Call the MCCB at 641-752-5490 for information.
The Log Cabin is located 6 miles northwest of Albion.
fishing and recreation
Sand Lake
Recreational Area
The Marshall County Conservation Board purchased the 95-acre Sand Lake area in 1999 with the assistance of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
Approximately $46,000 was donated by more than 220 individuals, businesses, and organizations to allow for the purchase and initial development projects. Sand Lake is an important stopover and wintering area for wildlife. Giant Canada Geese and other migrating waterfowl use the site to rest and feed. Bald Eagles are frequently seen near the area.
Bass, bluegill, crappie, walleye, and pike exist in the ponds.
Other river species include white bass, yellow bass, green sunfish, carp, big mouth buffalo, yellow perch, and quillback carpsucker. State DNR fisheries personnel assist the MCCB and make recommendations for underwater structures to enhance fish habitat.
- Boat Ramp
- Grill
- Grilling Area
- Parking
- Picnic Areas
- Picnic Shelters
- Picnic Tables
- Restrooms
- Shelter Houses
Fishing and ice fishing (state regulations apply)
Canoeing, rowboats, paddleboats, kayaks, and electric
powered boats
Photography
Wildlife and bird watching
Hiking
No swimming is allowed
Sand Lake Hours are 5:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Open year round.
county park
Three
Bridges Park
Three Bridges County Park was the first county park in Marshall County acquired in November of 1960. The 13 acre park is mostly bottomland timber with limestone bluffs along the eastern section of the park. On the north-side of the park you will find access to the Iowa River.
- Suspension bridge and hiking trails
- Boat ramp
- Historic bridge
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Wildlife and bird watching
- Snowmobile (access to the river)
Recreational Area Hours are 5:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Area is open year round.
Area is occasionally closed during flooding periods of the Iowa River.
woodland area
Timmons Grove
This 205 acre forested recreational area in the Iowa River Greenbelt located on Highway 330 about one mile south of Albion. The Iowa River splits Timmons Grove into two segments.
The south segment is a wildlife refuge and also contains facilities for RV campers with 18 – 30 amp electrical hookups, hiking trail, a shelter house, primitive restroom, and boat ramp to the Iowa River. The north segment is open for public hunting and is managed for natural resources of wildlife and forestry.
Hiking is allowed. Motor vehicles are restricted to designated parking areas. Deer, wild turkey, and squirrels are the most abundant game animals in the area.
- Boat ramp to Iowa River
- Shelter house
- Camping – electrical $18/night
- Primitive restroom facilities
- Hiking trails (south segment)
- Fishing
- Hunting (north segment)
- Wildlife and bird viewing
Recreational area hours are 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Area is open year round.
restored prairie
Wehrman
Prairie
History and roots run deep in this native prairie which was once the site of a country school house, Logan Township school #7. Come explore the beautiful prairie flowers such as wild strawberry, hoary puccoon, lousewort, bluebells, just to name a few.
- Bird Watching
- Wildlife Observation
- Photography
5:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Open year round
